More than half a century after Sir Jack Brabham won his third formula one title, the motor racing legend has been featured on a special 50 cent coin, released on Monday by the Royal Australian Mint.
The commemorative coin features the iconic racing car in which Brabham became the only F1 driver in history to win a World Championship in a vehicle of his own construction, alongside a green and gold track, the colours of his original car.
Royal Australian Mint CEO Mr Ross MacDiarmid said Brabham’s ingenuity also allowed him to develop the rear-engined cars we see today, which came about as a result of his 1959 F1 victory.
“Sir Jack Brabham was not only a superb racing car driver but he was also an innovative engineer and pioneer, paving the way forward for motorsports,” Mr MacDiarmid said.
“As we enter the 2017 Formula 1 season, this coin celebrates one of the world’s motor racing greats and his remarkable achievements, on and off the track.”
Brabham, a former RAAF mechanic, passed away in 2014 at the age of 88.